Food heaven inside a box: The Chef Box

Growing up the one day that I always looked forward to was my birthday. The day when I would jump out of my bed and mum and dad would immediately burst into Happy Birthday to you, hugging and kissing and giving a beautifully wrapped gift. The excitement of what was inside that shiny gift wrapper, the impatience of hurriedly getting past those zillion pieces of cello-tape and the hope that perhaps the box contains exactly what I had been wishing was that made the day even more special.

And then like all children do, I too became an adult. Most wrapped presents started getting replaced by let’s go and buy what you want taking the surprise out of the box and replacing it with the practicality of “doesn't it make more sense that you choose what you want”. Yes, it does and a part of me would love you to buy me that blue bag I have been secretly eyeing but another part of me what a surprise inside the box. Like the good old days when I was four feet something.

Come this June, when the team from The Chef Box got in touch with me, “We are putting together this surprise box for food lovers across the city and the box will contain several handpicked food and beverage products based on a theme. Would you be interested in trying it out?”

What kind of a question was that I thought? I am the kind of a wife when asked by her DH what would she like for her anniversary says my dream is to own a grocery store, can you buy me one? Really I said exactly this. And if you don’t trust me I could pass on my husband’s contact number.

So my answer was a resounding yes. New ingredients always come with both an element of surprise and a chance to be creative and I couldn't be happier.

Here’s what worked for me brilliantly and what I would like a little different.

Things that worked:

• Loved the little note on top that read “Inspiring creativity”
• It was like my birthday/Christmas came early. The excitement of what was hiding in that box under all those wood shavings had me dancing with joy at seven in the morning.
• A great concept where you get acquainted with ingredients that are new in the market or what may be new to you. Food lover’s idea of heaven is meeting new ingredients and making friends with them, right?
• An interesting mix of ingredients. From some that could be eaten/drank straight out of the box, to some which helped me prepare a meal in minutes (bottled sauces) to even basics like lentils.
• The quantities of each of the products were very generous. Frankly speaking I had expected sample sized products to just introduce the subscriber to the products and help us make up our mind if we’d like to buy them the next time we are out shopping.
• The box also contained a little booklet carrying a introductory note on the theme of the box, recipes that one could try with the enclosed products, product ads, contests, etc
• The team asked me what time I would like the delivery to be made and the box was in my hands in the time band I had requested. Very impressive.
• But most importantly new ingredients always help you get out of a cooking rut and bring back that excitement both in the kitchen & on the dining table.

Things that could definitely be spiced up a bit

• Much as I appreciated the addition of the small book carrying recipes, contests, products adverts, etc I would have appreciated had the look been less commercial/in your face product catalogue type & more in line with the beautiful concept & the look of the Chef Box. You know I am happy to “meet” the products through your eyes but not so happy to meet them through those of the manufacturers'. Perhaps a little more information on the whats & whys of organic & sustainability, a story on why you chose the products you did because doesn't food really taste better when you know the story behind it? And ofcourse the very people making these products.
• The box needs to be a bit sturdy and could be much smaller. It came with very many glass bottles and my fear was that had your colleague not been as careful as he was while delivering it they would have reached me all broken.

I want to stay away from reviewing each of the products because each month I am sure that I might fall in love with some of the products and not feel very warm towards others; the very essence of this box. Knowing more ingredients and then deciding which ones would a permanent place in your kitchen.Having said that, I quite liked the mix in this month's Going Organic box. The box had a lot of Thai products as well and since we love eating Thai at home those got extra points :)  

Would I recommend this box to family & friends & my lovely readers? Big YES. 

It is like a present you give yourself for being totally fabulous in the kitchen. Brilliant for gifting too.

Thank you Team Chef Box for making me a part of your journey. Every new journey comes with new challenges, teething problems, feedback, appreciation notes, pats on the back, hardwork, sleepless nights and I am sure you are getting all of that and more. Lots of wishes for the entire team.

Please note: All views expressed here are my own and The Chef Box invited me to try out this subscription service. 

Images : Personal Album. While you enjoy reading this post with visuals.Please do not use them without asking. They belong to Orange Kitchens unless otherwise stated.  

Grocery tales and a giveaway.

Picture this: You’ve just returned with ten days worth of groceries...fruits, veggies, meat, et al. All bought according to the detailed menu you planned and are obviously feeling very much in control of all your lunches, dinners, fridge and ahem..your life. What? Am I the only one here who gets this excited making menus and buying groceries? Oh come on! Admit it.

Come midweek, life takes over.

There is a sudden meeting which means it will be working lunch with a client, there is a birthday party that your child insists she NEEDS to attend because it’s her best friend’s birthday (like the other 35 best friends whose birthdays “I just can’t miss mamma”), a day when your menu reads kale and mushroom wild rice and all you really want is a simple parantha (Indian flatbread) with mango chutney.

Read: A lot of your groceries are going to be very upset with you for this. Shrivelled strawberries, wilting greens, fresh chicken that isn’t “fresh” any more and mushrooms that are taking their relation to fungus very seriously.

Have you been there? I have been and it upsets me a lot. And trust me I’ve tried everything to save them. All kinds of airtight boxes but nothing has worked more beautifully for me than the boxes, Klaudia, cofounder, Vauxxia Trading Company recommended me to try.

As a food consultant, I get many emails every day, about new products but this one really caught my attention because it talked about reducing wastage and preserving the goodness of veggies, fruits, et al. And before I knew I was having coffee with Klaudia and she was trying to convince me about the merits of the product. I am definitely a tough client, really difficult to please so I requested her to let me use and abuse the box for a month before giving it a thumbs up. And today after a month I have to say YAY!

Plump juicy strawberries, fresh green leaves, gorgeous sprouts and leftovers that didn't feel stale. Even the chicken I marinated kept good.

How you ask? Well, that is the interesting bit, these boxes come with a vacuum pump that within seconds creates vacuum in the container (lack of oxygen) and that helps extend the shelf life of your fresh foods. And take my word they remain fresher way longer than keeping them say in a regular air tight container that will always have a bit of air however hard we may try to shut it properly.

I even tried keeping some soda in it just to test if it could pass my test and it did. Bubbles intact. And what is wonderful is that it comes with a scroll wheel that helps you set the date the day you keep anything in it. Good for forgetful mums like me. Also they are fridge, freezer and micro (without the cover) friendly.

Read all about it here.

So I am going to give it full marks and definitely going to buy more for my kitchen. But before I do that, I want to give a set of three such boxes and a vacuum pump (worth 350 aed) to one of you lovely readers. All thanks to the team at Vauxxia.

So here’s how you can get it for your kitchen: All you need to do is to leave a comment here on why you think these should be yours.

Ofcourse you can increase the chances of winning the set by doing any/all of the following:

1. Liking Vauxxia on FB and/or sharing the contest on your FB Page/Twitter

3. Liking Orange Kitchens on FB and/or sharing the contest on your FB page/Twitter

Leave me a comment for each like/share to make sure I know about it :) If you already "like" one/both just let me know and I will put in another entry for you.

Since Vauxxia currently ships only in the UAE the giveaway is valid only for the UAE Residents. But the rest of you need not be disappointed you can always participate for your loved one staying here and we promise to courier it to them :)

The last date to participate is 20th October'13 midnight IST. The winner will be announced on the 21^st October’13.

Good luck people!

Images : Personal album & Vauxxia.